HERNIATION OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT INTO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY-CANAL - A COMPLICATION OF OTOLOGIC SURGERY

Herniation of the temporomandibular joint into the external auditory c anal has been reported as a result of trauma, neoplasia, infection, in flammatory processes, or developmental malformations. This paper revie ws the intimate relation of the temporomandibular joint to the tempora l bone as well as the literature describing temporomandibular joint he rniation into the external auditory canal. Four cases of temporomandib ular joint herniation into the external auditory canal resulting from otologic surgery are presented. Their characteristic location, clinica l and radiographic findings are described and contrasted to previously reported cases. Despite striking displacement of the temporomandibula r joint into the external auditory canal, there were no clinical sympt oms referable to this finding. The absence of symptoms distinguished t his postoperative etiology of temporomandibular joint herniation from other etiologies mentioned above.